And that same evening, after the chaos of dinner had finally settled and Aunt Lou had gone to bed, I found myself sitting in the living room with Leon, the two of us in comfortable silence. He had his arm wrapped around me, and I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was calming, a moment of peace after everything that had happened. But there was still something I needed to tell him—something I had been holding back since my encounter with Regina.I sat up slightly, pulling away just enough to look at him, my heart racing as I tried to gather the right words. Leon noticed the change in my posture and immediately grew concerned, his eyes scanning my face."Margarette? You appeared like you wanted to tell me something, is there something wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle but alert. "You’ve been like that since a moment ago."I took a deep breath, knowing that what I was about to say would be complicated. Leon had always been protective of me,
A few days after my conversation with Leon, we decided it was time to move forward with the plan. We couldn’t waste any more time. Regina had given us the information we needed, but we had to tread carefully. We know that Wilma wasn’t someone to be underestimated, and if we were going to help Regina escape her clutches and use what she knew to fight back, we needed to strategize. That’s where Jack, our former lawyer, came in.Leon and I set up a meeting at Jack’s office, and although Leon had been wary about involving Regina, he agreed that her knowledge of Wilma’s operations could be valuable in court. I could see through Regina’s eyes how she was terrified but determined, and I could see the weight of fear pressing down on her as we made our way to the law office.Jack’s office was in a quiet part of town, away from the noise of the city, nestled in a high-rise building with a view of the river. Leon and I arrived first, stepping into the sleek, professional atmosphere of the offi
The evening sky was already dark when we finished with the day. I could forever stare at the stars scattered like diamonds against a deep velvet sky as Leon and I drove in comfortable silence. We had just left Jack’s office, and the weight of Regina’s testimony and the plan we’d put into motion hanging heavily between us. I just coudn’t believe how things had gone back to the same dilemma we had months back with Justin, this time though, it’s Wilma.My mind was racing with thoughts wondering how dangerous things would get once Wilma realized we were coming fo sue her for all the harassment she had done. It may not be directly able to pay for what she did to me but at least, if Regina’s lawsuit against Wilma would prevail, It would also feel like I gave justice to my case when I was still with them.Out of nowhere, I shifted my position and glanced at Leon, his expression unreadable as he focused on the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel firmly and he seemed totally focused a
THE NEXT MORNING.As the first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, I woke up feeling lighter, as though the peaceful evening Leon had surprised me with had taken away some of the weight I’d been carrying. I stretched out, savoring the warmth of the bed, but when I reached for Leon, the space beside me was empty.I frowned, sitting up slightly and looking around. Leon was already dressed, standing by the window with his phone pressed to his ear, his face etched with concern. Something was wrong.“Yeah, I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Leon said into the phone, his voice low and serious. “Make sure Jack knows. We can’t afford any more surprises.” He ended the call and turned to me, his eyes softened the moment that he saw me already sitting on the edge of the bed.“Good morning, my love” he said, attempting a smile, but I could see the anxiety in his eyes that he was trying to hide.“Leon, who was that on the phone? What’s going on?” I asked, sitting up fully while trying to a
THE FOLLOWING DAYS, I finally decided to step back and allow leon to handle the case for the time being. I decided to just sit in the garden patio and feel in the soft hum of the breeze and the gentle rustling of leaves around me. After all the chaotic things that went through my life, It was just now that I could find sometime alone while staring over the flowers blooming in every corner. Usually, this was my sanctuary, a place where I could gather my thoughts, but today, even the beauty of the garden couldn’t distract me from how bored I felt.Leon had insisted that I take it easy and stay at home while he and Jack worked on the legal case. I had agreed, knowing he was right. But after days of being stuck inside with nothing to do but worry, I was starting to feel restless. I missed being more involved, and though I trusted Leon completely, I couldn't shake the feeling that I should be doing more. As I absentmindedly flipped through a magazine, I noticed Lena approaching me. Her
As the afternoon drifted on, Lena and I kept talking, the conversation flowing easily as the two of us got even more comfortable with one another. And I must say, Lena surely live up to her offer of being a good company. She actually made me forget all about my boredom the past few days.I hadn't realized how much I enjoyed her company until this moment. She had always been the quieter one in the family, content to stay in the background and rarely join the conversations. but there was a depth to her that I hadn't seen before. The more we talked, the more I understood how much Lena had been holding back, and I felt a sense of responsibility to be there for her—like a big sister she could confide in."So," I said with a teasing smile, "do you think you’ll ever tell Jack how you feel?"Lena blushed again, shaking her head quickly. "Oh no, absolutely not. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t even know what to say!"I laughed softly. "You don’t have to tell him right away, silly, but don’t be too hard
The past few weeks had been intense, with Leon doing everything he could to ensure Wilma faced the consequences for everything she’d done. I was proud of him, of how relentless he was in seeking justice, but I knew he was also getting tired of all these that he was just not telling me. That’s why I insist to invite Jack and prepare the two of them some good lunch.Of course, I asked Lena to assist me knowing Jack would be our guest. Besides, Aunt Lou couldn’t help me because of her duties at the hospital. And Letty isn’t around because of her part time work at hospital’s management department. And so, I could only ask Lena to help me around and I bet she would love helping with the meal, specially if it would be served to her crush.The smell of freshly chopped herbs filled the kitchen as Lena and I worked side by side, preparing something simple yet comforting for Leon and Jack. They were in the living room, finalizing the last details of the case against Wilma.Lena had been stayi
The moment Jack's words left his mouth, left my world completely shattered in an instance. It’s as if it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving me gasping for it. The silence that followed was deafening, and for a moment, I stood there, frozen, unable to process what I’d just heard."No," I whispered, shaking my head, my voice barely audible. "No... no, that’s not possible." My heart pounded painfully in my chest, each beat a sharp reminder of the reality that I refused to accept.Jack’s face was pale, his eyes filled with sorrow as he watched me. But I couldn’t look at him anymore. I couldn’t stand the weight of his gaze. This couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be happening. I stumbled back, my legs weak beneath me. "You’re lying," I whispered, my voice trembling with desperation. "You’re wrong. Leon can’t be dead." Jack remained silent, his face contorted with grief. His silence only fueled the fire of panic rising inside me, and suddenly, I couldn’t control it
After Helena left, the tension in the house was palpable. Leon paced the living room, his jaw tight with frustration.“She’s lying,” he muttered. “She has to be.”“Leon,” I said gently, placing a hand on his arm. “What if she’s not? We can’t take any chances, not with Lucas involved.”At the mention of Lucas, Leon’s expression softened, and he glanced at his son, who was happily stacking blocks in the corner.“I won’t let anything happen to him,” he said firmly. “I’ll protect him with my life.”I nodded, my heart aching at the determination in his voice. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”Leon pulled me into his arms, his embrace grounding me. “Thank you, Margarette. For everything.”Later that night, Leon tucked Lucas into bed. I watched from the doorway as he knelt beside the bed, his hand gently brushing Lucas’s hair.“Goodnight, buddy,” he whispered.Lucas stirred, his eyes fluttering open. “Goodnight, Dad,” he murmured before drifting back to sleep.Leon stood and turned to me, h
The ride back home was quiet, yet the air was filled with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. Leon sat in the passenger seat, holding Lucas securely in his arms. The little boy had fallen asleep, his tiny hands clutching the fabric of Leon’s jacket, as if afraid to let go.Leon’s gaze stayed on Lucas, his expression a mix of wonder and sorrow. I didn’t interrupt his thoughts, knowing this moment was one he needed to process on his own.When we arrived at the house, Leon carried Lucas inside, his steps careful, as if afraid to wake him. I watched as he gently laid his son on the couch, covering him with a soft blanket. For a while, he simply stood there, staring down at the boy with tears glistening in his eyes.“Margarette,” he said quietly, turning to face me. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”I stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “You don’t have to repay me, Leon. Lucas is your son. He deserves to have his father in his life. And you deserve to be with him.
The days that followed were peaceful but filled with an undercurrent of anticipation. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something I needed to do—something unfinished. It had been haunting me for weeks, but now, with Justin’s shadow gone and Leon by my side, I knew it was time.“Leon,” I began one quiet evening, as we sat by the fire. He looked up from the book he was reading, his dark eyes softening the moment they met mine.“What is it?” he asked, setting the book aside.I hesitated, my fingers playing with the hem of my sweater. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”He frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his face. “Who?”“You’ll see,” I said, standing and holding out my hand. “Come with me.”Without hesitation, Leon took my hand, his trust in me unwavering. I led him out to the car, the cool night air brushing against us as we drove into town. The roads were quiet, the streetlights casting long shadows that danced as we passed.We arrived at a small park just out
The clock struck midnight as I arrived at the abandoned warehouse, the location Justin had specified. The air was damp and heavy, the only sounds the distant hum of the city and my own racing heartbeat. I had slipped away from Helena, leaving behind a note promising to be careful, though I knew she wouldn’t forgive me for this reckless decision.The large metal doors creaked as I pushed them open, revealing a dimly lit interior. In the center of the room stood Justin, flanked by two of his men. Behind them, Leon was tied to a chair, his face battered but his eyes sharp and alert. The sight of him sent a wave of relief and fury crashing over me.“Well, well,” Justin drawled, his smirk as cruel as ever. “The damsel arrives. Punctual, I must say.”“Let him go,” I demanded, stepping forward despite the fear coursing through me. “I’m here, just like you wanted. This ends tonight.”“Oh, it will,” Justin replied, pulling a knife from his pocket and twirling it lazily. “But not the way you th
My heart froze as his words sank in. He wasn’t just after Leon—he wanted me. Before anyone could react, Justin’s men stormed in, their presence throwing the room into chaos. Leon moved like lightning, tackling one of them as William engaged another.Helena appeared in the doorway, clutching a laptop. “We’ve got the files uploaded!” she shouted. “But we need to move now!”Leon turned to me, his expression desperate. “Go with Helena. I’ll find you.”“No!” I cried, panic gripping me. “I’m not leaving you behind!”Justin’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “Run all you want, Margarette, but you can’t hide. I always get what I want.”Leon’s fist connected with Justin’s jaw in a blur of motion, sending him staggering back. “You’ll never touch her,” Leon snarled, his voice venomous.Helena grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the back exit. “Come on!” she urged. “We don’t have time!”I hesitated, torn between fleeing and staying to fight. Leon’s gaze met mine, and in that split second,
The ominous text on my phone screen felt like a knife twisting in my chest. My fingers trembled as I stared at the words, the weight of the decision Justin was forcing on me suffocating. Choose wisely? What did he mean? What was the game he was playing now?I bolted upright and paced the room, my breaths shallow as panic clawed at the edges of my composure. Every fiber of my being screamed that this wasn’t just about me anymore—it never had been. Justin was a master manipulator, and his threat wasn’t idle.A soft knock at the door snapped me out of my spiral. I opened it to find Leon standing there, his disheveled appearance and the dark circles under his eyes a stark contrast to his usual confidence. He didn’t say anything, just stepped inside and closed the door behind him.“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and steady, but his eyes sharp as they searched mine.I hesitated, clutching my phone tightly. “It’s Justin,” I finally said, showing him the message.Leon’s expression dar
Back at Leon’s secluded estate, the air was heavy with tension. The security team was doubled, every window and door meticulously checked and locked. Leon’s protective streak was in full force, and I could see the weight of the situation bearing down on him.“Here,” he said, handing me a glass of water as we sat in his study. The room, usually a place of calm and strategy, now felt like a fortress under siege.“Thank you,” I murmured, taking the glass. I watched him pace, his movements restless and charged. “Leon…”He stopped, turning to face me. His dark eyes held a mix of anger, worry, and something else—something deeper that he rarely let surface. “You don’t have to thank me, Margarette. Protecting you isn’t a favor. It’s what I’m supposed to do.”“But this isn’t just about me,” I said, standing to face him. “Justin’s targeting everyone I care about. You, my family, even William and Helena—he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”Leon stepped closer, his presence grounding me. “
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of William’s words hitting me like a freight train. My family. Justin was targeting my family. The thought sent a jolt of fear and fury through me, my heart pounding in my chest.Leon’s face hardened, his jaw clenched as he stepped closer to William. “What does the message say?” His voice was low and deadly, carrying an unspoken promise of retribution.William handed over his phone, his expression grim. Leon read the message aloud, each word slicing through the air like a knife.“If you want to keep Margarette’s loved ones safe, you’ll stop meddling. The clock is ticking.”I felt my knees weaken, but I forced myself to stay upright. My mind raced, trying to process the implications of Justin’s threat. My parents. My sister. Everyone I cared about. They were all in danger because of me.“Margarette,” Leon said softly, his tone a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his eyes. He reached out, his hand steady and warm on my shoulder. “We’ll
The morning light was deceptive in its warmth, casting a golden hue over the chaos that still swirled within me. Justin’s voice echoed in my mind, his words a cruel reminder that peace was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.I sat on the edge of Leon’s bed, watching his chest rise and fall in steady rhythm. He was still asleep, his face pale and bruised, but there was a tranquility in his expression that eased some of the tension coiled within me.Alexa was safe for now, resting in a secure room down the hall, with Helena standing guard. William had left to oversee the cleanup of the warehouse, ensuring no trace of our presence remained.But even surrounded by Leon’s team and their precautions, the weight of Justin’s threat pressed heavily on my chest.A soft groan pulled my attention back to Leon as his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, his gaze was unfocused, but when it landed on me, a faint smile curved his lips.“You stayed,” he murmured, his voice gravelly but warm.“Of cour